Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: In a show of strength and to send a message to the BJP’s detractors in Salcete that the government has its stronghold in the taluka, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar made his first visit to Velim constituency with two ministers and three MLAs for the inauguration of the Ambelim Sports Complex.
Local independent MLA Benjamin Silva was flanked by Parsekar, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh and Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, besides the Ambelim panch members. Earlier this month, Parsekar had visited Navelim for the church feast and sports functions.
During his visit, Parsekar praised Silva for his developmental works.
He also stated that the independent MLA is with government and the government is giving all its attention to his constituency. Commending the much-anticipated sports complex, Parsekar pointed out that six grounds had been constructed at Velim constituency. Later on, there were discussions about other sports-related projects for the constituency.
Silva said that the government is supporting him for development works and he is happy over the same. He added that some big projects are in the pipeline, for which work would begin soon. Sports Minister Tawadkar took pot-shots at the former Congress government.
He spoke about how the BJP government spent Rs 300 crore to host the Lusofonia Games, whereas the Congress government had no guts to host the same.
On the Cutbona jetty issue, Fisheries Minister Furtado said that the jetty expansion project has received the green signal from the government and the project will begin soon.
He added that the fisheries department would give a new face to the jetty.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Parsekar said it is not appropriate for the government to intervene in the Velim church raid matter at this stage, but the government is studying the same to find a solution. It is to be noted that the he did not make any statement on the church case even in his speech to the audience.
However, when former Ambelim Sarpanch Cruz Silva asked Parsekar about the government’s earliest decision to withdraw the case filed against the locals of Velim constituency, the CM said that the government is following the issue and will do justice to the people. He also told Cruz that MLA Silva is also taking the initiative to solve the issue and that there was a need to have patience.
Responding to queries from mediapersons, MLA Silva said that the government had promised to withdraw the case and it is serious about the issue. He expressed confidence that the government will keep its word, but pointed out that it will take some time as there are legal implications and that the case should first be transferred to the district and sessions court.
It is to be noted that Silva and the locals met Parsekar recently over the issue, and he had attended the court hearings in a show of solidarity with the locals. Before the first court hearing, the parishioners of Velim church and neighbouring villages had taken part in a candlelight procession and had submitted a signature petition to the government asking for the cases to be dropped immediately. Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had also promised that the government would withdraw the case filed by the police.
Former Sarpanch Cruz said that the Velim citizens were expecting some statement from the CM regarding church raid as this was a core issue for the them. He added that police has filed false cases against innocent people and that the government must act fast and give relief to the them,
